Year-round farmers markets exist and have more than just squash and potatoes!

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Despite the autumn chill, fresh, local food is still at our fingertips. Chicagoland is home to several year-round Farmers Markets that give you the opportunity to buy local, support the economy, and get the most nutrition out of the best food. Doug D’Avico, Executive Chef Trattoria No 10 says local produce can be used almost year-round, “We do the best we can to keep our produce as local as possible at Trattoria No. 10."

Greg Christian, Founder of the Organic School Project says food this time of year grows for a reason, “It’s medicine. It grows right now because our bodies need it. It is good for us.” Good for us and for the earth because it came from less than a hundred miles away.

At the Green City Market, demonstrations give you ideas and it’s still open every Wednesday and Saturday. Christian showed us what he would pick up to make a quick and tasty leek and carrot soup made with all things local! Garnish soup with fresh Kale. (see recipe below)

Green City Market features local, organic free-range meats like lamb as well as their produce. A substitute for turkey for a smaller family around the holidays says Christian would be local lamb, “I would rub garlic, olive oil, Dijon mustard. By the time it's brown it's done. This is no twelve hour turkey."

There are so many reasons to cook local and buy local says Christian, “If you can look the farmer in the eye and you can see their truck changes are it's got more flavor and nutrition and maybe there's a little more love, care, and compassion that goes into it."

Quick Tips for Locally-Grown Food

Chicagoland is home to several year-round farmers' markets that give you the opportunity to buy local, support the economy and get the most nutrition out of the best food. (Published Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009)

LEEK AND CARROT SOUP

By: Greg Christian

3 cups leeks (wash after you cut (sand gets in them))

3 cups carrots (remember, no need to peel)

1 cup celery root

1 head of garlic

2 medium sized potatoes--chopped

1/4 cup butter

1/2 gallon veg stock

Cook all veg(except potato) together very slowly Until clear--maybe one hour (400 F in Conventional Oven)